The gorgeous <a href="https://inhabitat.com/londons-kew-gardens-herbarium-uses-underground-cooling-and-hot-air-to-protect-its-contents/" target="_blank">wood-wrapped</a> Alésia Museum visitor’s center in Burgundy, France was designed by <a href="http://www.tschumi.com/" target="_blank">Bernard Tschumi Architects</a>. The cylindrical volume is clad with a herringbone patterned <a href="https://inhabitat.com/futuristic-blade-runner-style-liverpool-department-store-opens-in-mexico-city/" target="_blank">double skin</a> and a green roof. The museum marks the spot of a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Alesia" target="_blank">historic battle</a> between the Romans, led by Julius Caesar, and the Gauls under Vercingetorix, over 2,000 years ago.

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Bernard Tschumi Alesia Museum

Tschumi’s design has transformed the hilltop site into a suitable tribute to the historic Battle of Alésia. The <a href="https://inhabitat.com/australias-trunk-house-sits-harmoniously-with-its-lush-forested-site/" target="_blank">slatted wooden second skin</a> was created to pay tribute the wooden structures the Romans built during the battle’s era. The wooden skin also acts as a <a href="https://inhabitat.com/passive-bamboo-residence-keeps-cool-with-green-pixel-brise-soleils-facade/" target="_blank">brise-soleil</a>, filtering light as it enters the glass volume and casting patterned shadows throughout the visitor center.

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Bernard Tschumi Alesia Museum

The museum’s roof holds an elevated park that gives visitors a sprawling view of the battle site. Grass, shrubs, and trees grow <a href="https://inhabitat.com/copenhagen-adopts-a-mandatory-green-roof-policy/" target="_blank">on the roof</a>, helping to filter rain water, provide shade to visitors, and insulate the building. The <a href="https://inhabitat.com/mill-valley-cabins-are-green-roofed-low-impact-studios-that-disappear-into-the-forest/" target="_blank">roof garden</a> also helps the building blend flawlessly into the battlefield terrain. The museum will focus on elements and narratives of the events of the battle.

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Bernard Tschumi Alesia Museum

Nearby, a second <a href="https://inhabitat.com/artist-stacy-levys-ridge-and-valley-is-an-interactive-watershed/" target="_blank">stone building</a> will be built to accompany the wooden museum. Located a kilometer away, the stone building will hold <a href="https://inhabitat.com/the-ptuj-archaeological-museum-is-blanketed-with-a-giant-green-roofed-tent/" target="_blank">archaeological pieces</a> excavated from the site. This building is set to be completed in 2015. Together, the buildings will give visitors a new perspective on how the land appeared 2,000 years ago during the time of Julius Caesar.

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Bernard Tschumi Alesia Museum

An opening ceremony will welcome visitors on March 23rd, with displays and programs for all ages.

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Bernard Tschumi Alesia Museum

The gorgeous wood-wrapped Alésia Museum visitor’s center in Burgundy, France was designed by Bernard Tschumi Architects. The cylindrical volume is clad with a herringbone patterned double skin and a green roof. The museum marks the spot of a historic battle between the Romans, led by Julius Caesar, and the Gauls under Vercingetorix, over 2,000 years ago.